Charlton happy to return to Blue for another season

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have agreed to terms free agent import linebacker Ike Charlton on a new contract.

"The deal's done," Charlton said this afternoon from Cleveland.

Charlton thought about going to Hamilton to be with his former defensive co-ordinator, Greg Marshall, but he said his heart is in Winnipeg. Not only that, but Bomber brass told him they really wanted his services.

"They reached out to me and let me know that now matter what happens, they want me to be their (strong-side) linebacker," Charlton said. "I'm their number one guy."

The Ticats even called to match Winnipeg's offer while he was talking to Sun Media this afternnon, but Charlton said he's coming back to Maroons Road.

"I'm going to stay where I'm at," Charlton said. "The people of Winnipeg, they're owed a better season than what we put on the field last year."

Charlton is the first of Winnipeg's free agents to re-sign with the team

Winnipeg had six players hit the free-agent market, and four of them bolted for other teams on Monday.